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Robert Jackson
High Performance Manager at Australian Football League (AFL)
Robert Jackson is the High Performance Manager for umpiring at the Australian Football League (AFL).13 He is responsible for the elite physical preparation program across all umpiring disciplines.2 Jackson, also known as 'Jacko', has over 20 years of experience in fitness and strength and conditioning.3
Prior to his current role, Jackson worked as the strength and conditioning manager at the Melbourne Football Club.56 He joined the AFL umpiring department in 2018, leaving his position at Melbourne to take on this new role.45
In his capacity as High Performance Manager for AFL umpiring, Jackson oversees the physical conditioning and preparation of umpires. He utilizes technology such as remote monitoring and GPS tracking to assess umpires' performance and compliance with training programs.1 Jackson focuses on metrics like top speed, high-intensity efforts, and total distance covered to evaluate and improve umpires' physical capabilities.1
Jackson emphasizes the demanding nature of AFL umpiring, noting that umpires often perform high-speed efforts and cover distances similar to players, despite spanning a wider age range of 20-45 years.1 He also highlights the physical toll of specific umpiring actions, such as the center bounce, on various parts of the body.1